FROM the sophistication of a Noel Coward comedy to a play served with a fish and chip supper, The Dukes new visiting drama season has many entertaining ingredients.

Private Lives launches the Lancaster theatre's traditional season, running from February 6-7. Full of razor sharp wit and quick fire dialogue and performed by London Classic Theatre, it remains Coward’s most popular and enduring stage comedy.

Also on the theatre menu for spring is Northern Broadsides’ new adaptation of Dickens’ Hard Times (February 27-March 3) and The Damned United based on Brian Clough’s spell as manager of Leeds United (April 24-25).

The Dukes reputation for hosting new theatre continues when Chip Shop Chips - a dinner, quiz and show all rolled into one - is served up on February 23.

Also new is Woke where hip-hop and feminism collide on March 14; Mark Thomas in Showtime From The Frontline on March 28; Mia: Daughter of Fortune presented by four learning disabled performers on April 18 and multi-award winning Bin Laden: The One Man Show takes to the theatre's stage on May 3.

Comic theatre treats include Dad’s Army Radio Hour celebrating 50 years of the popular sitcom on May 1 and 2 and the comedy thriller Crimes Under The Sun on May 16.

The Dukes commitment to hosting top drama touring the country runs alongside its own programme of quality homegrown productions.

The Lancaster theatre will produce Educating Rita in The Round from April 5-14 and The Three Musketeers promenading around Williamson Park is the summer spectacular, running from July 3-August 18.

Meanwhile, an inventive radio theatre production by six Northern writers will kick off The Dukes season of new drama on Friday, January 19.

Keeping The Lights On explores energy production.

The drama is presented by Ragged Edge theatre company which staged The Chef Show at The Dukes last January.

Ragged Edge was founded by Stefan Escreet whose impressive theatre career began in The Dukes lighting and stage management departments before he became a professional actor. He was associate director at Keswick's Theatre by the Lake for many years.

Keeping The Lights On is one of two productions in The Dukes new season which has been developed with the Lancaster theatre’s support.

The Dukes is committed to supporting new and innovative work from northern artists and companies by providing space, time and expertise to help develop new projects.

Keeping The Lights On is a 'pay what you decide' show where audience members are asked to book their tickets as usual before the performance and make a donation afterwards, depending on how much they enjoyed it. All proceeds will help The Dukes to pay the artists who have performed.

Box office 01524-598500 or visit www.dukes-lancaster.org.